Home Vascular Lab
TestingJacksonville's Dedicated Vascular Lab
FCCI's accredited Non-Invasive Vascular Lab is the only one in Jacksonville solely dedicated to vascular testing. It uses ultrasound and other painless tests to check your arteries and veins.
Tests for arteries
- Carotid artery duplex: checks neck arteries linked to stroke risk. About 30 minutes.
- Peripheral arterial duplex: finds narrow or blocked leg arteries (PAD). About 2 hours; no food, drink, tobacco or caffeine for 7 hours before.
- Lower extremity physiologic study: shows whether PAD is present and which vessels are affected.
- Renal artery duplex: checks blood flow to the kidneys without contrast dye. 1 to 2 hours; 7-hour prep.
- Peripheral stent and bypass graft evaluation: checks flow through stents. 45 minutes to 1 hour.
Each test answers a different question, and your doctor chooses based on your symptoms. Tests use ultrasound and blood pressure cuffs, so there are no needles, no contrast dye and no radiation. A carotid duplex takes about 30 minutes; a peripheral arterial duplex about two hours. Some tests ask you to skip food, drinks, tobacco and caffeine for seven hours before, and the office will tell you if yours does.
Tests for veins and aneurysms
- Venous duplex: looks for blood clots in the deep leg veins (DVT). About 30 minutes.
- Venous insufficiency exam: checks vein valve function. About 1 hour.
- Vein mapping: maps healthy veins before bypass surgery. 45 minutes to 1 hour.
- Abdominal aortic aneurysm endograft duplex: measures an aneurysm and checks an endograft. 30 to 45 minutes; 7-hour prep.
- Pseudoaneurysm evaluation and treatment: finds and treats a false aneurysm with a thrombin injection. About 30 minutes.
- Hemodialysis fistula or graft duplex: checks dialysis access flow. 20 to 30 minutes.
Once results for your ultrasound test are in, your doctor follows up and talks through next steps. Some plans are as simple as daily walks and a prescription; others add a procedure.
Why the carotid test matters
FCCI's lab notes that carotid artery disease is one of the most common causes of stroke and that finding it early matters. A carotid study may be ordered for one-sided weakness or numbness, trouble speaking, brief vision loss in one eye or a bruit heard in the neck. If those symptoms are happening right now, call 911.
Since 2002, First Coast Cardiovascular Institute has helped people across Northeast Florida with your ultrasound test. Offices span Duval, Clay, St. Johns, Putnam and Ware counties, and the practice carries seven accreditations in cardiovascular care.
Before a visit about your ultrasound test, jot down what you have noticed, when it began and what eases or worsens it. Pack your medicine list (vitamins and supplements count), your insurance card and a photo ID.
How to schedule
Vascular tests are ordered by your doctor based on your symptoms. Your doctor follows up with you to build a personalized plan after reviewing the results. To start, call 904.493.3333.
To get the most from an appointment about your ultrasound test, write a few notes first: your symptoms, how long they have been going on, and what helps. Bring every medicine you take, including supplements, plus your insurance card and ID.
Questions about your ultrasound test start with a call: 904.493.3333 for most offices, 904.644.0092 in Orange Park, 386.325.2836 in Palatka. Please leave medical details out of online forms and share them by phone instead.
Most patients coming in for your ultrasound test use Medicare, Tricare, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, Cigna, United Healthcare, Humana (with some exceptions) or another accepted plan. Call and the front desk can confirm your coverage.
Do vascular ultrasounds hurt?
No. They use a handheld probe and gel on the skin. Some tests also measure blood pressure in your arms or legs.
Do I need to prepare?
Some tests, like the peripheral arterial duplex, renal artery duplex and aortic aneurysm scan, need you to avoid food, drinks, tobacco and caffeine for 7 hours. The office will tell you.
Do I need a referral?
Your FCCI doctor orders the test based on your symptoms. Call 904.493.3333 to set up a visit.
